Danske Bank Irish Premiership: Ballinamallard United v Ballymena United (today, Ferney Park, 3pm)
BALLYMENA United midfielder Allan Jenkins says he has “absolutely no intentions” of retiring and is hoping to win more trophies under boss David Jeffrey.
The 35-year-old veteran was hugely influential in guiding the Braidmen to the League Cup last weekend, scoring the opening goal.
Moments after collecting his first major honour in six years at the club, Jenkins was interviewed by a Sky Sports commentator and was asked about his retirement plans.
Laughing, Jenkins said: “It was a bit odd when the Sky commentator said that you’re coming towards the end of your career… Everybody’s got an opinion – some right, some wrong, some you agree with, some you disagree with.
“I didn’t need the Sky commentator to tell me I’m 35. I look in the mirror every day! I see the wrinkles to prove it!”
The popular Scot added: “There are plenty more games left in me and I would love them to be at Ballymena - and if not they’ll be somewhere else.”
Asked did the lack of tact from the commentator annoy him, he said: “I wouldn’t say it bugs me, I just brush it off. That’s football. That’s the nature of the game.
"Because you’re 35 people think you’re finished or getting towards the end. And you are getting towards the end – but there is plenty of football left in me. I have absolutely no intentions of retiring at the end of the season.
“I feel I deserve to be part of this squad and want to test myself. I’ve started 30 games and been on the bench four or five times but I feel I’m making a contribution.
"My legs didn’t move quickly when I was 25 so if you never had pace you don’t miss it!
“It works at both ends of the spectrum. You might have a kid at 15 or 16 and some people might say he’s too young. But if they’re good enough to play, you play them. It’s the same at the other end of the spectrum.
“I know what my body needs to do and what it doesn’t need to do. I’m ready for Saturdays. The journey so far has been great and I’ll ride it out as long as I possibly can.”
Jenkins has won two Co Antrim Shield medals with the Sky Blues and finished runners-up in an Irish Cup and League Cup final.
So last Saturday’s 2-0 League Cup final win over Carrick Rangers felt like his first major honour with the club.
“It is one of the proudest moments of my career and to be part of such a team,” said Jenkins, who is approaching 250 appearances at the Showgrounds.
Describing David Jeffrey as a “fantastic manager”, Jenkins believes there won’t be any problem of the Ballymena players not being motivated for their league trip to Ballinamallard United this afternoon.
“The manager certainly won’t let any of that creep in and the players have bought into the manager’s way of thinking. After Saturday, people realise the manager knows his stuff and his way of doing things is working.
“I think tomorrow’s match should spark something in us to have more days like last Saturday, and to have more days like that we need to take care of games like this one in Ballinamallard.”
